NHL Rumor Mill – April 20, 2023
What’s in store this offseason for some Flyers veterans? Could the Canadiens target free agents Alex Killorn or Damon Severson this summer? Does Kevin Labanc have a future in San Jose? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
WHAT’S IN STORE THIS SUMMER FOR THE FLYERS’ HAYES, DEANGELO AND KONECNY?
THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER: Olivia Reiner reports Flyers general manager Daniel Briere believes Kevin Hayes still has a lot of value as a productive 6-foot-5 center. While he thinks plenty of teams would be interested in the soon-to-be 31-year-old Hayes, Briere suggested it was too early to jump to conclusions over his future.
Philadelphia Flyers center Kevin Hayes (NHL Images).
The Flyers GM acknowledged defenseman Tony DeAngelo had an up-and-down year that ended with him being a healthy scratch at the end of the season. He declined to go into the reasons behind DeAngelo’s benching but added this offseason will be a big one for the blueliner as he works his way back into the good graces of head coach John Tortorella.
Briere felt winger Travis Konecny will be an important part of the roster going forward. The 26-year-old winger has two years left on his contract. Briere was impressed with how he took over as a team leader from departed veterans like Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Briere seems to be kind of lowering expectations a bit with his comments about moving Hayes. I think he will try to move Hayes this summer if he can get an acceptable offer, preferably one where he’s not having to retain any part of his $7.14 million average annual value. However, finding such an offer won’t be easy, especially if the salary cap only rises by $1 million for next season.
DeAngelo only has a year remaining on his contract. An improved performance next season could boost the Flyers but also bolster his value in next season’s trade market as a playoff rental.
Konecny occasionally surfaced in the rumor mill this season. He thrived under Tortorella’s coaching this season so I doubt we’ll see him moved this summer.
COULD THE CANADIENS PURSUE KILLORN OR SEVERSON?
TVA SPORTS: Tony Marinaro and Jean-Charles Lajoie discussed the possibility of the Montreal Canadiens pursuing Alex Killorn via this summer’s free-agent market. The 33-year-old Tampa Bay Lightning winger is finishing a seven-year, $31.5 million contract ($4.45 million average annual value).
Lajoie believes Killorn (a Quebec native) would be the type of physical winger who would appeal to Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes and head coach Martin St. Louis. While the Lightning winger is coming off a career-best season, Marinaro cautioned that he’s on the downside of his career.
MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: In a recent mailbag segment, Marc Dumont was asked which UFAs he sees the Canadiens pursuing. He thinks they might sign a right-shot defenseman who can be a mainstay on the top pairing alongside Mike Matheson while their younger blueliners develop. Dumont suggested New Jersey Devils rearguard Damon Severson, though he’s heard that he’d prefer to avoid playing in a market like Montreal.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Killorn would be ideal if he were five years younger as he could fit in well in the Canadiens’ long-term plans. However, he turns 34 in September and would probably prefer skating with a playoff contender rather than a rebuilding club. I daresay Severson would feel the same way.
LABANC FACING UNCERTAIN FUTURE IN SAN JOSE
THE MERCURY NEWS’ Curtis Pashelka tweeted Monday that Sharks winger Kevin Labanc faces an uncertain future in San Jose. General manager Mike Grier said he “can’t say whether he’ll be here,” adding he’ll see what happens and what presents itself.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Labanc, 27, has a year remaining on his contract with an AAV of $4.725 million. He also lacks no-trade protection. He’s struggled since tallying a career-best 56 points in 2018-19. With the Sharks rebuilding, it sounds like Grier could dangle Labanc as a trade chip this summer.
Just get Hayes, Provorov, off the team now, because neither player is needed moving forward.
Hayes packed it in December and was basically a floater the rest of the season. He has value when he wants to play so a new team new coach would be best and we will probably have to hold 2mil per to make a deal but its worth it to have him gone. Maybe we talk to Carolina and see if we can get our 2nd pick back.
Provorov is a solid defensive guy when paired with a decent veteran partner. The flyers dont have this player anywhere in there system so it makes him kind of useless to the Flyers. Trade him for a 1st in 24′ or 25′ and move on.
Farabee is another player i would look to move, mainly because it seemed like all year he made plays to avoid being hit and this cost the Flyers countless goals and odd man rushes.
Hayes demoted to 3rd line made him play less enthusiastic but that being said I still think CMB make sure the most sense for both teams
Hayes for Roslovic. CMB has cap room and Philly gets a 3c.
Provy to WSH for Mantha a 1st and 2nd makes sense for both teams.
I’d keep Farabee for some more time and see how he develops.another year under Torts.
I’d focus on trying to move Atkinson and Courtourier out west for picks or assets to flip at deadline.
Try get get rid of as many long term contracts as possible.
Perhaps Courtourier to CGY .org Backlund then flip him to a contender At deadline since he will be a UFA and age 34.
That will free even more cap to weaponize it to garner more picks and prospects for the rebuild.
@ihate
still dont see Roslovic with Torts.does Kuralys contract give him right to say no to Philly? he is a better fit for the Flyers.
CBJ should move Jenner to a contender who could use him.
Farabee had major surgery in the offseason and took forever to get into game shape as he was unable to train. He will thrive under Torts and I would not move him.
Hayes is simply not a winner and no clue why Columbus would want him. But, if they want to give me a 2nd rounder for him that be great.
Hayes and JG on the same line would would spend most of their time in their own end.
Nobody wants those crappy Flyers. Trade them out west for picks he says… lol.
Expect Killer motivated to give the Lightning a home town discount if it means finishing career with one club – & a couple of cheap out years could help AAV.
One team one town one coach entire career.
That is a solid take Richard , he’s made 35+ million over his career, I doubt he is playing to cash in. I respect a player for staying in their comfort zone and taking that kind of position near the end of their career.
No, he cashes in and goes to another contender. Dallas, Carolina and NYI all look like a good landing spots.
Tampa has 7 forwards signed for next season and Serga’s raise kicks in. Unless Killorn signs for less than his last deal AFTER his career season there is little chance he resigns.
Hard pass from the Habs with regard to Killorn. He’ll be 34 years old. Last chance for a deal with term and coin. No way will Hughes give a 34 year old the money and years that Killorn will want.
As to Severson, he would fill a position for which the Habs have need. But even if he’s interested, once again, I don’t see Hughes, at this stage of the rebuild, giving a 29 year old the type of deal that Severson would want. A more likely target would be Matt Dumba, who may very well settle on a short-term prove-it deal to get his career back on track.
Honestly while the flyers are a mess Torts is a big part of the issue. Like Sutter is in Calgary I don’t believe they can “coach” these age groups. I would have loved to play for either but we are almost the same age. Old school hockey is dead and their leaders are dinosaurs.